Feb. 7, 2013

Written by

Brittany Lyons

Contributing Writer

The PRISM concert is like a kaleidoscope of sounds. It jumps from a section of musicians on each balcony to an orchestra on the stage and finishes with the Florida State University Marching Chiefs invading the concert hall for the grand finale.

The performance features hundreds of students, and ranges from percussion groups to jazz ensembles to the University symphonic and concert bands. For those who missed the annual series of PRISM concerts last fall, the 7 Days of Opening Nights festival will showcase an encore performance on Saturday, Feb. 9 at the Ruby Diamond Concert Hall. The show is a high-intensity spectacle that features a wide variety of ensembles from FSU’s music program.

“I really love PRISM because it’s not like any other concert,” sophomore Marissa Kotzin said. “It really is a full experience of space, sound and sight.”

Kotzin, whose primary instrument is the trombone, will perform in multiple ensembles during the show, including the trombone section of the Marching Chiefs.

Although the concert is unique to FSU, several high schools in Florida now produce regular shows that are similar to PRISM. These programs are often started by band directors who graduated from FSU and were able to experience PRISM firsthand.

“Even though a lot of high schools have directors who have gone to FSU and do shows with the same principles, I think you’re not going to have a more passionate group anywhere [else],” senior Emily Bartlett said.

Bartlett, who plays baritone in the Marching Chiefs and is set to perform in PRISM on Saturday, describes the concert as a unique event.

“You have serious, large ensembles and small groups that break off from them,” Bartlett said.

PRISM’s contrast between traditional fare and more experimental groups may be one of the reasons behind the program’s success. Its multifaceted nature makes PRISM a gem among music lovers. Because of its design, PRISM offers a unique show depending on where an audience member sits—those in the balcony will be nearer to certain ensembles than those in other sections, and vice versa.

“Being able to perform in multiple ensembles in all parts of the auditorium makes me feel like I’m helping create something you can only find at FSU,” Kotzin said.